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Tea chain is good news for good causes

A TEA rooms, tea and coffee firm has donated £66,000 to seven regional charities and 90 other good causes after a year-long fundraising drive.

Staff at Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate collected more than £33,000 through quiz nights, bingo, bake sales, marathons, photo competitions and treasure hunts, which was matched pound for pound by the business.

Staff from the six Bettys Café Tea Rooms, bakery and Taylors of Harrogate joined charity representatives at a ceremony which saw Northallerton-based Herriot Hospice Homecare given £1,700.

The charity provides care to terminally ill patients at home across Hambleton and Richmondshire, including trained volunteers to sit with patients so that carers can take a rest.

Liz Pollard, of the charity, said: “As a small charity, we are absolutely delighted to receive this sum which will go towards a range of services provided for patients free of charge. These include a volunteer driving service, aromatherapy, companionship and support.”

A spokeswoman for the firm said its staff had raised more than £500,000 for good causes over the last 25 years, which Bettys and Taylors had doubled to £1m.